Cooper Co., MO – Hydroplaning Crash and Semi-Truck Rollover on I-70

Cooper County, MO (February 16, 2026) – On Sunday, February 15, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) responded to the scene of a crash on Interstate 70, near mile marker 113, following reports of a jackknifed semi-truck and a passenger vehicle.

According to the crash report, a 34-year-old woman from Ballwin, Missouri, was traveling eastbound in her 2022 Hyundai Elantra. While attempting to pass a Kenworth tractor-trailer, her vehicle hydroplaned on the rain-slicked pavement and struck a guardrail. The impact left the Hyundai disabled and partially blocking the right lane.

The driver of the semi-truck, a 28-year-old man from Liberal, Kansas, was unable to avoid the disabled car. After the collision, the semi-truck jackknifed, overturned, and struck the concrete median barrier.

The woman was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries, while the truck driver was reported uninjured. 

Investigators are currently looking into the causes of this accident.

We extend our best wishes to the injured woman as she recovers.

How does insurance determine fault in a multi-vehicle accident in Missouri?

Insurance companies determine fault by reviewing police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence to see which driver’s negligence started the chain reaction. In "pure comparative fault" states like Missouri, you can still recover compensation even if you are partially responsible for the crash.

When a collision involves a passenger car and a commercial semi-truck, the investigation becomes significantly more technical. Insurance adjusters don't just look at who hit whom; they look at contributing factors. This includes "driving too fast for conditions" during rain, mechanical failures like worn tires, or a driver's failure to maintain a safe following distance, for example. 

In many states, if you are found even slightly responsible for an accident, your ability to recover money is at risk. However, in a comparative fault system, the law recognizes that accidents are rarely one-sided. For example, if a car hydroplanes but a truck was following too closely to stop, the fault is shared.

An attorney’s job is to ensure that the "apportionment of fault" is accurate. By using experts to reconstruct the crash, a legal team can prove that the other party’s negligence was the primary cause of the secondary impact and the resulting injuries.

The aftermath of a highway pileup involves a mountain of paperwork, from hospital liens to property damage estimates. The Dunk Law Firm provides the strategic support needed to handle these details. We work to preserve vital evidence, like the "black box" data from a semi-truck or dashcam footage, that can prove your version of events.

By managing the legal complexities and the aggressive tactics of insurance companies, at Dunk Law Firm, we allow you to focus on your health while we fight for the support you need for your medical recovery and your future.

If you have questions after a semi-truck accident, our team at Dunk Law Firm can provide information. Call us at 414-209-4398 to discuss your options with our truck accident lawyer.

Note: This post is based on information obtained from publicly available secondary sources. We have not independently verified all details of the incident. If you notice any inaccuracies or missing information, please contact Dunk Law Firm so we can promptly review and correct the content for accuracy and reliability.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship nor constitute a solicitation for legal services. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical attention and consult a qualified attorney. Any images included are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the actual scene or parties involved in the incident.